Raahgiri returns to Gurgaon this February 25

Months after it was discontinued, Raahgiri is all set to restart from February 25, and city residents will again be able to participate in the weekly events. PWD minister Rao Narbir Singh, on behalf of the state government, promised to provide ₹16 lakh to sustain the event for a year’s time.

The city witnessed its last Raahgiri event on October 22 last year as the organisers could not to continue with the planned activities because of lack of funds.

Raahgiri was a very popular event among Gurgaon residents, as the events promoted road safety and propounded the use of non-motorised transport. This time, when Raahgiri returns to the city, it aims to attract a bigger audience.

“We will conduct Raahagiri in various parts of the city. We are not going to confine the events to one place. This will ensure that residents of the old and developing Gurgaon are also able to enjoy the event,” Sarika Panda Bhatt, trustee of the Raahgiri Foundation, said.

Bhatt is also a project manager at WRI-India, a research organisation for sustainable development.

The Raahgiri Foundation has received ₹10 lakh from the Haryana government to start the weekly events in the city. The events will start at 5am and will conclude by 9am every Sunday, starting February 25.

The new sites where Raahgiri will be organised include Palam Vihar, Sector 5, Sohna Road, Sector 56 and MG Road, among other locations.

“We are currently working on a map where the weekly Raahagiri events will be organised this time,” Bhatt said.

As with the previous edition, this time also the event will be supported by the district administration and the police department. Residents can participate in a variety of activities on February 25 including cycling, acrobatics, yoga, photography, taekwondo, skating, bhangra, zumba, tent pitching and hiking workshops, golf putting challenges, archery, and badminton.

The idea is to get people out of their living rooms and to make them reclaim the roads that are dominated by vehicles.

These weekly events aim to spread awareness about cycling to work and reducing carbon footprints. The initiative also aims to encourage residents to adopt a healthier lifestyle, the organisers said.